Furniture, in particular seating furniture

ABSTRACT

Piece of furniture includes a first part, and a second part that may be adjusted relative to the first part of the piece of furniture in an adjustment movement. There is a drive device, the drive device being configured for adjusting the second part relative to the first part. At least two drive units are allocated to the second part. In a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement, the adjustment is carried out by use of a first drive unit, and in a second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement the adjustment is carried out by of a second drive unit, the second part moving relative to the first part in the first kinematic phase and carrying out a substantially equivalent adjustment movement in the second kinematic phase.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application no. PCT/EP2005/012956, filed Dec. 3, 2005, which claims the priority of German application no. 10 2005 001 877.7, filed Jan. 14, 2005, and each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a piece of furniture, in particular a seat. More particularly, the invention relates to a piece of furniture, in particular a seat, including a first part, and a second part that may be adjusted relative to the first part of the piece of furniture, and a drive device for adjusting the second part relative to the first part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such pieces of furniture are known in the form of seats adjustable by means of drive motors comprising pieces that can be adjusted relative to one another, for example a calfrest that is adjustable relative to a seat part and that supports the person sitting in the chair in the area of the leg and/or calf region respectively. To adjust the parts of the piece of furniture relative to one another there is a drive device including a drive unit with an electric motor.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to provide a piece of furniture, in particular a seat, including a first part, and a second part that may be adjusted relative to the first part of the piece of furniture, and a drive device for adjusting the second part relative to the first part, and in which the second part can be adjusted relative to the first part across a large adjustment range.

The object of the invention is achieved with the teaching of a piece of furniture according which includes a first part, and a second part that may be adjusted relative to the first part of the piece of furniture in an adjustment movement. There is a drive device, the drive device being configured for adjusting the second part relative to the first part. The drive device includes at least two drive units allocated to the second part. In a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement, the adjustment is carried out by use of a first drive unit, and in a second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement the adjustment is carried out by use of a second drive unit, the second part moving relative to the first part in the first kinematic phase and carrying out a substantially equivalent adjustment movement in the second kinematic phase.

The invention is freed from the thought that the adjustment of the second part relative to the first part of the furniture in an adjustment range in which the first part carries out a substantially equivalent adjustment movement relative to the second part, for example a pivoting movement, is carried out by use of only one drive unit. Rather, the invention is based on the concept of providing the second part with at least two drive units, wherein in a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement the adjustment is carried out by means of a first drive unit, and in a second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement the adjustment is carried out by means of a second drive unit with the second part moving relative to the first part in the first kinematic phase and in the second kinematic phase carrying out a substantially equivalent adjustment movement, for example a pivoting movement. By combining two drive units, for example drive units that each include an electric motor, for obtaining one substantially equivalent adjustment movement, the teaching according to the invention provides especially large adjustment ranges. According to the invention different kinematic phases of one substantially equivalent adjustment movement, for example a pivoting movement, or a linear translation movement, are effected by different drive units.

Another advantage of the teaching of the invention is that an adjustment mechanism through which the drive units are connected in an effective manner to the second part of the furniture that is to be adjusted, can be particularly compact and space-saving because, contrary to known furniture in which the adjustment movement is carried out only via one drive unit, it is possible to use an adjustment mechanism with short and simple levers.

According to the invention two drive units, or if necessitated by the respective requirements more than two drive units, can be used that are allocated to the second part. According to the invention allocating the drive units in relation to the second part means that the drive units are used to adjust the second part. In this connection, the drive units allocated to the second part can be arranged on the same. However, according to the invention it also is possible to arrange parts of, or all of, the drive units that are allocated to the second part on a different part of the furniture, for example on the first part or a base body.

According to the respective requirements the adjustment movement carried out by the second part relative to the first part can follow any suitable kinematics. For example, the substantially equivalent adjustment movement carried out by the second part in the first and the second kinematic phase can be a linear translation movement or a combination of a linear translation movement and a pivoting movement. An advantageous further development of the teaching according to the invention provides that the adjustment movement is a pivoting movement. In this embodiment the drive units allocated to the second part together form a pivoting drive that allows for especially large pivoting angles of the second part.

A further development of the above embodiment envisions that the second part in a first kinematic phase pivots around a first pivoting angle and in a second kinematic phase pivots around a second pivoting angle. In this embodiment the second part is pivoted by a first pivoting angle by the first drive unit in the first kinematic phase while it is pivoted by a second pivoting angle by the second drive unit in a second kinematic phase.

Advantageous further developments of the above embodiment provide that the first pivoting angle and/or the second pivoting angle is approximately 90° and/or that a third pivoting angle resulting from the first pivoting angle and the second pivoting angle is approximately 180°. Especially the latter embodiment results in an especially large pivoting range of the second part relative to the first part.

In general the pivoting of the second part relative to the first part in the first and in the second kinematic phase can occur around a common pivoting axis. An advantageous further development of the teaching according to the invention provides, however, that the first kinematic phase has a first pivoting axis and the second kinematic phase has a second pivoting axis arranged at a distance from the first pivoting axis such that the second part pivots around the first pivoting axis during the first kinematic phase and around the second pivoting axis during the second kinematic phase. In this embodiment the first drive unit and the second drive unit can be arranged at a spatial distance from one another which increases the design possibilities with regard to the arrangement of the drive units relative to the second part.

An advantageous further development of the above embodiment provides that the first pivoting axis and the second pivoting axis are substantially parallel to each other. This embodiment results in an especially simple design of the adjustment mechanism via which the respective drive unit is in drive connection with the second part.

To make the design of the adjustment mechanism especially simple, it is practical for the first pivoting axis to be a pivoting shaft arranged in a pivoting manner on a base body of the piece of furniture.

An advantageous further development of the above embodiment provides that at least one link rod is connected to the pivoting shaft in a fixed manner, the link rod being in driven connection with the output member of the respective drive unit via an operating element. In this embodiment the pivoting shaft is pivoted by means of the link rod that can be actuated via a linear drive, for example.

A further development of the above embodiment provides that the operating element can withstand pressure and in particular is a rod, or plate, or lever, and that one end of the operating element is articulated and is connected to the first pivoting axis in an eccentric manner with the link rod and that the other end of the operating element is connected in an articulated manner to the output member of the respective drive unit. This embodiment provides an especially simple and robust design with just a few components.

An extraordinarily advantageous further development of the embodiment with the pivoting shaft provides that one end of at least one acting element is connected in a manner fixed against rotation (i.e., nonrotatably) to the pivoting shaft, the other end of the acting element being connected to the second part. In this embodiment the number of spatial possibilities for the arrangement of the first drive unit relative to the second part is even higher.

Further developments of the above embodiments provide that the, or each, acting element is a bracket and/or that the, or each, acting element is bow-shaped. Especially the embodiment with the bow-shaped acting element provides an especially compact design with low height and few components.

Another further development of the teaching according to the invention provides that an axis is connected preferably in a manner fixed against rotation to the, or each, acting element, the axis representing the second pivoting axis around which the second part is arranged in a pivoting manner. In this embodiment the second pivoting axis is connected to the, or each, acting element so that the second part is arranged in a pivoting manner to the first part via the operating element and the first pivoting axis.

A further development of the embodiment with the operating element that is connected to the pivoting axis in a manner fixed against rotation provides that the second drive unit is connected to the second part and that there is an operating element that is operatively connected to the drive device of the second drive unit. In this embodiment the second drive unit is arranged on the second part with the second part being in a driven connection to the output member of the second drive unit via the second operating element.

To provide for the transmission of the driving forces of the second drive unit onto the second part in an especially easy manner, an advantageous further development provides that the operating element be a rod or a plate or a lever.

In the above embodiments the operating element advantageously is connected in an articulated manner to the output member and/or the acting element and in an eccentric manner to the second pivoting axis.

Another further development of the teaching according to the invention provides that the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase occur consecutively. In this embodiment the second part runs through the adjustment range of the first kinematic phase and the adjustment range of the second kinematic phase consecutively.

Depending on the respective requirements, it is possible, however, that the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase run concurrently or at least partially overlap. In this embodiment the second part moves through the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase at least partially with temporal overlap.

To provide an especially simple design of the adjustment mechanism through which the second part is operatively connected to the drive units, another further development of the teaching according to the invention provides that at least one of the drive units includes a linear drive.

Another further development provides that at least one of the drive units includes a spindle drive. Such spindle drives are available as simple and inexpensive standard components and are robust and can produce great forces.

A further development of the above embodiment provides that the drive device of the spindle drive is a spindle nut that is arranged on a threaded spindle that can be driven, the spindle nut being fixed against rotation, but being movable in an axial direction.

The invention is described in more detail below based on the included drawing in which the exemplary embodiments of a piece of furniture according to the invention are shown. All characteristics described or shown in the drawing by themselves or in any combination represent the subject of the invention, independent of their summary in the claims, as well as independent of their formulation or representation in the description or drawing, respectively.

Relative terms such as up, down, left, and right, are for convenience only and are not intended to be limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a piece of furniture according to the invention in the form of a chair;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective phantom view of parts of an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a calfrest of the piece of furniture according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of parts of the adjustment mechanism according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of parts of the adjustment mechanism according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a partially sectional side view of the seat according to FIG. 1 at the beginning of a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement;

FIG. 6 shows the seat according to FIG. 5 in the same manner as in FIG. 5 during the first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement in an adjustment position;

FIG. 7 shows the seat according to FIG. 5 in the same manner as in FIG. 5 during the first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement in a further adjustment position;

FIG. 8 shows the seat according to FIG. 5 in the same manner as in FIG. 5 at the end of the first kinematic phase and at the beginning of the second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement;

FIG. 9 shows the seat according to FIG. 5 in the same manner as in FIG. 5 during the second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement; and

FIG. 10 shows the seat according to FIG. 5 in the same manner as in FIG. 5 at the end of the second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Identical or analogous components in the Figs. of the drawing have the same reference numbers.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a piece of furniture according to the invention in the form of a seat 2 including a base body 4 that comprises two armrests 6, 8 arranged at a distance from one another. A first part in the form of a seat part 10 is arranged on the armrests 6, 8. To one end of the seat part a second part is connected in an adjustable manner, which in this exemplary embodiment is a calfrest 12 that is used to support the shins or lower legs of a person sitting in the chair 2. The end of the seat part 10 facing away from the calfrest 12 a backrest 14 is arranged in an adjustable manner to whose end facing away from the seat part 10 a headrest 16 is arranged in an adjustable manner. The backrest 14 is used to support the upper body of a person sitting in the chair 2 while the headrest is to support the head of a person sitting in the seat 2.

The calfrest 12 can be pivoted relative to the seat part 10, as is described in more detail below.

FIG. 2 shows the pieces of an adjustment mechanism by means of which the calfrest 12 can be adjusted relative to the seat part 10. According to the invention two drive units 18, 20 are allocated to the calfrest 12 in this exemplary embodiment wherein in a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement, i.e. a pivoting movement, the adjustment is carried out by means of the first drive unit 18 and in the second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement the adjustment is carried out by means of the second drive unit 20, with the calfrest 12 carrying out a substantially equivalent adjustment movement, i.e. a pivoting movement, in the first kinematic phase and in the second kinematic phase.

To pivot the calfrest 12 relative to the seat part 10 in the first kinematic phase, a first pivoting axis 22 is arranged which in this exemplary embodiment is in the form of a substantially horizontal pivoting shaft arranged on the armrests 6, 8 in a pivoting manner.

The first drive unit 18 includes an electric motor 24 whose output shaft 26 is in the form of a worm of a worm gear and engages with a worm wheel 28 that is arranged in a pivoting manner and that is connected to a threaded spindle 30 in a manner so that it is fixed against rotation, the threaded spindle being arranged on the seat part 10 in a pivoting manner and being in a rotatably driven connection with the electric motor 24 via the worm wheel 28 and the worm 26. The output member of the first drive unit is in the form of a spindle nut 32 that is arranged on the threaded spindle 30 in a manner fixed against rotation, but is movable in an axial direction.

One end of an operating element in the form of a short rod 34 is connected to the spindle nut 32, the other end of the operating element being connected in an articulated manner to the first pivoting axis comprised of the pivoting shaft and eccentrically with the link rod 36 that is connected to the pivoting shaft 22 in a manner that is fixed against rotation.

To provide a symmetric introduction of force into the pivoting shaft 22 with regard to the axial center plane of the threaded spindle 30, the first drive unit 18 includes an additional link rod 36′ and an additional rod 34′ spaced in the axial direction of the pivoting shaft 22 to rod 34 and link rod 36. FIG. 2 shows that the rods 34, 34′ provide a fork-like arrangement between which the free end of the threaded spindle 30 is arranged.

The second drive unit 20 includes an electric motor 38 whose output shaft 40 is a worm and engages with a rotatable worm wheel 42 that is connected to a threaded spindle 44 in a manner fixed against rotation, the threaded spindle being arranged on the calfrest 12 in a rotatable manner. The electric motor 38 is fastened to an inside frame 46 of the calfrest 12.

The output member of the second drive unit 20 is in the form of a spindle nut 48 that is arranged on the threaded spindle 44 in a manner so that it is, fixed against rotation, but is movable in an axial direction.

The calfrest 12 is arranged in a pivoting manner relative to a second pivoting axis 50 on the axis. The second pivoting axis 50 is connected to the pivoting shaft that forms the first pivoting axis 22 via two acting elements arranged at a distance from one another in axial direction of the second pivoting axis 50 in the form of substantially bow-shaped brackets 52, 54. One end of the bracket 52 is connected to the pivoting shaft that forms the first pivoting axis 22 in a manner so that it is fixed against rotation, while the other end of the bracket is connected to the second pivoting axis 50 so it is fixed against rotation.

The embodiment of the connection of the bracket 54 with the pivoting shaft 22 and the second pivoting axis 50 is obtained in an analogous manner.

The second drive unit 20 includes a second operating element in the form of a rod 56 whose one end is connected in an articulated manner with the spindle nut 58 and whose other end is articulated and is connected in an eccentric manner in relation to the first pivoting axis 22 and the second pivoting axis 50 via the bracket 54.

FIG. 4 shows a better view of the connection of the spindle nut 48 and the bracket 54 via rod 56.

The adjustment of the calfrest 12 relative to the seat part 10 is described below with the help of FIGS. 5 through 10.

In a first kinematic phase shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 the calfrest 12 is pivoted around the first pivoting axis 22 relative to the seat part 10 by means of the first drive unit 18 while the calfrest 12, in the second kinematic phase, is pivoted relative to the seat part 10 by means of the second drive unit 20 around the second pivoting axis 50. FIGS. 5 through 10 show that in this exemplary embodiment the first pivoting axis 22 and the second pivoting axis 50 are substantially parallel to each other.

FIG. 5 shows a first final adjustment position of the adjustment movement in which the seat part 10 and the calfrest 12 form a substantially horizontal support plane. Based on this final position of the adjustment movement the electric motor 24 drives the threaded spindle 30 so that the spindle nut 32 moves to the left in FIG. 5. By doing so the spindle nut 32 pushes against the link rod 36 via the lever 34 so that the link rod in FIG. 5 pivots counterclockwise around the first pivoting axis 22.

FIG. 6 shows that in doing so the calfrest 12 pivots relative to the seat part 10 around the first pivoting axis 22. Since the second drive unit 20 is out of operation during the first kinematic phase, the kinematics in this phase are determined solely by the first drive unit 18.

FIG. 7 shows that in another movement to the left the spindle nut 32 in FIG. 7 pivots the calfrest 12 further in counterclockwise direction around the first pivoting axis 22. To avoid a collision of the free end of the calfrest 12 with the floor 56, the calfrest 12 can be compressed in a longitudinal direction in this exemplary embodiment, with the compression or expansion being accomplished by means of an electric drive unit, which is not of interest here, and therefore is not explained in detail.

FIG. 8 shows the end of the first kinematic phase in which the calfrest 12 is pivoted counterclockwise by approximately 90° compared to the starting position shown in FIG. 5, as can be seen when comparing FIGS. 5 and 8.

At the same time FIG. 8 shows the starting position at the beginning of the second kinematic phase. In this starting position the electric motor 38 drives the threaded spindle 44 so that the spindle nut 48 in FIG. 8 moves downward. Due to the articulated connection of the spindle nut 48 and the bracket 54 via the lever 56, the calfrest 12 is pivoted counterclockwise further relative to the seat part 10 but now around the second pivoting axis 50, as can be seen in FIG. 9.

Based on the adjustment position shown in FIG. 9 the electric motor 38 drives the threaded spindle 44 further so that the spindle nut 48 in FIG. 9 screws to the right so that the calfrest 12 is further pivoted counterclockwise until it reaches the second end position of the adjustment movement shown in FIG. 10. During the second kinematic phase the first drive unit 18 is out of operation so that the kinematic in this phase is determined solely by the second drive unit 20.

FIGS. 5 through 10 show that in this exemplary embodiment the calfrest 12 during the first kinematic phase is pivoted by a first pivoting angle of approximately 90° and during the second kinematic phase by a second pivoting angle of approximately 90° relative to the seat part 10 so that a resulting third pivoting angle is approximately 180°. In this exemplary embodiment the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase are consecutive. However, according to the invention it is possible for the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase to occur concurrently or at least so that they partially overlap.

While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention or limits of the claims appended hereto. 

1. Piece of furniture, comprising: a) a first part; b) a second part that may be adjusted relative to the first part of the piece of furniture in an adjustment movement; c) a drive device, the drive device being configured for adjusting the second part relative to the first part; d) the drive device including at least two drive units allocated to the second part; e) in a first kinematic phase of the adjustment movement, the adjustment is carried out by use of a first drive unit, and in a second kinematic phase of the adjustment movement the adjustment is carried out by of a second drive unit, the second part moving relative to the first part in the first kinematic phase and carrying out a substantially equivalent adjustment movement in the second kinematic phase.
 2. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) the adjustment movement is a pivoting movement.
 3. Piece of furniture according to claim 2, wherein: a) the second part in the first kinematic phase is pivotable around a first pivoting angle and in a second kinematic phase is pivotable around a second pivoting angle relative to the first part.
 4. Piece of furniture according to claim 3, wherein: a) at least one of the first pivoting angle and the second pivoting angle is approximately 90°.
 5. Piece of furniture according to claim 3, wherein: a) a third pivoting angle resulting from the first pivoting angle and the second pivoting angle is approximately 180°.
 6. Piece of furniture according to claim 2, wherein: a) a first pivoting axis is provided, and a second pivoting axis is provided at a distance from the first pivoting axis, so that the second part pivots around the first pivoting axis during the first kinematic phase and around the second pivoting axis during the second kinematic phase, in use.
 7. Piece of furniture according to claim 6, wherein: a) the first pivoting axis and the second pivoting axis are substantially parallel to each other.
 8. Piece of furniture according to claim 6, wherein: a) a base body is provided; and b) the first pivoting axis includes a pivoting shaft arranged pivotably on the base body.
 9. Piece of furniture according to claim 8, wherein: a) at least one link rod is nonrotatably connected to the pivoting shaft, the link rod being in driven connection with an output member of one of the at least two drive units via an operating element.
 10. Piece of furniture according to claim 9, wherein: a) the operating element can withstand pressure, and includes one of a rod, a plate, and a lever; and b) one end of the operating element is articulated and is connected relative to the first pivoting axis in an eccentric manner to the link rod, and the other end of the operating element is connected in an articulated manner to the output member of the respective drive unit.
 11. Piece of furniture according to claim 8, wherein: a) one end of at least one acting element is nonrotatably connected to the pivoting shaft, and another end of the at least one acting element is connected to the second part.
 12. Piece of furniture according to claim 11, wherein: a) the at least one acting element is a bracket.
 13. Piece of furniture according to claim 11, wherein: a) the at least one acting element is bow-shaped.
 14. Piece of furniture according to claim 11, wherein: a) an axis is nonrotatably connected to the at least one acting element, the axis including the second pivoting axis around which the second part is arranged in a pivoting manner.
 15. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) one of the at least two drive units is connected to the second part; and b) an operating element is provided that is operatively connected to the output member of the second drive unit.
 16. Piece of furniture according to claim 15, wherein: a) the operating element is one of a rod, a plate, and a lever.
 17. Piece of furniture according to claim 15, wherein: a) the operating element is connected in an articulated manner to one of the output member and the acting element, and is connected in an eccentric manner to the second pivoting axis.
 18. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase occur consecutively.
 19. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) the first kinematic phase and the second kinematic phase at last partially overlap.
 20. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) one of the at least two drive units includes a linear drive.
 21. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) one of the at least two drive units includes a spindle drive.
 22. Piece of furniture according to claim 21, wherein: a) an output member of the spindle drive is a spindle nut, fixed against rotation, provided on a drive rotable threaded spindle, and moveable in an axial direction.
 23. Piece of furniture according to claim 1, wherein: a) the piece of furniture is a seat. 